Contact with nature has a host of potential physical and psychological benefits, according to a growing body of evidence. Researchers have focused mostly on the health effects of spending time in parks or wilderness, but two recent studies suggest there are potential benefits of living in leafy, green neighborhoods or even near leafy, green blocks in inner cities.

Alcohol may adversely affect the oral microbiome—that is, the colonies of bacteria and other microorganisms in the mouth—according to a 2018 study in the journal Microbiome, which included 1,044 people. And this may have both local and systemic health implications.

Does your New Year's resolution to exercise more seem like a daunting task? Getting plenty of exercise can help you live longer, but keep in mind that even brief bouts of huffing and puffing confer important health benefits, according to updated Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

This holiday season, many of us would probably like to avoid discussing politics at family gatherings. So here's an idea: Talk family health history instead. Since many health problems run in families, a holiday gathering is a good time to delve into a discussion about the health of your blood relatives, both living and deceased. This exercise can offer a glimpse of any conditions or illnesses to which you and your family may be predisposed.

Although it's late November, it's not too late to get your flu shot, if you haven't done so already. The influenza vaccination is an essential protective measure in spite of many misconceptions about its effectiveness. The following flu facts—both new and old—highlight how and why you should take the necessary steps to avoid an encounter with this unwelcome seasonal visitor.

In spite of professional guidelines and educational campaigns to reduce the overprescribing of antibiotics, the problem is still widespread. It's important to recognize when antibiotics can help you get better--and when they can't.